❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding the recruitment of overseas-trained doctors in public hospitals, including areas of need, recruitment agencies, and specialty areas. The response provides data and details on processes.
AnsweredQoN 4111Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Are any public hospitals classified as "Areas of Unmet Need" for the purposes of recruiting overseas graduates and, if so, which ones? (2) To meet this classification, which recruitment agencies have verified lack of successful recruitment in Australia? (3) How many registrars, senior RMOs and RMOs in public hospitals have been recruited overseas. Please list: (a) totals; (b) by specialty; and (c) by level? (4) How many employees who were recruited overseas occupy specialist college training positions? (5) Which agencies have the contracts for recruitment of overseas trained graduates to public hospitals and, in general terms, what is the basis for their remuneration? For example, do they receive a yearly commission while a person remains or do they receive a one off payment? (6) Which specialty areas are currently recruiting overseas trained doctors? Please list by specialty?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 August 2015
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
56 days
(1) Area of Need (AoN) determinations may or may not be site-specific. In a number of cases there are State-wide or regional determinations that are not specific to hospitals or health services. AoN determinations have been made in relation to nominated specialties for the following public hospitals and health services: Albany Regional Hospital; Armadale Health Service; Busselton Hospital; Peel Health Campus; Bentley Hospital; Fiona Stanley Hospital; Fremantle Hospital; Joondalup Health Campus; Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital; Child and Adolescent Health Service; Royal Perth Hospital; Swan Kalamunda Health Service; Women's and Newborn Health Service; Hedland Health Campus; Bunbury Hospital; Geraldton Hospital; Princess Margaret Hospital for Children; Rockingham General Hospital; and WA Country Health Service.
(2) AoN is a State Government arrangement that allows the recruitment and employment of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) (doctors who have obtained a medical degree overseas) in areas where it has been demonstrated that doctor positions cannot be filled from the existing medical workforce in Australia. An IMG can apply for limited registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) contingent on working in an AoN.
The WA Department of Health is responsible for processing AoN applications once received from an employer (who may be a public hospital or another provider, e.g. a general practice). Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis according to strict criteria which include evidence of labour market testing. Advertising must be placed both State-wide and nationally and be designed to attract a maximum response.
(3)(a) 778 headcount as at 31 May 2015.
(b-c) [See tabled paper no]
(4) 270 headcount as at 31 May 2015.
(5) The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is the only health service in WA that works with recruitment agencies for the recruitment of overseas trained graduates to the public sector. [See tabled paper no] for a list of Medical Recruitment Agencies that have signed the WACHS Supply Agreement as at 16 June 2015. These agencies working to fill the advertised WACHS vacancies have signed an 'Agreement for Supply of Services: Recruitment of Medical Practitioners'. This allows the agency to invoice a total of 12.5% of stated Medical Practitioner income for the tenure of the appointment up to a total of 12 months, when they assist to fill a permanent or locum vacancy. It can be a one off payment if the doctor has accepted a fixed term contract, or across multiple payments for days worked up to a total of 365 days worked for locum doctors on a medical services agreement.
(6) Psychiatry,obstetrics and gynaecology, and orthopaedic surgery.
(2) AoN is a State Government arrangement that allows the recruitment and employment of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) (doctors who have obtained a medical degree overseas) in areas where it has been demonstrated that doctor positions cannot be filled from the existing medical workforce in Australia. An IMG can apply for limited registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) contingent on working in an AoN.
The WA Department of Health is responsible for processing AoN applications once received from an employer (who may be a public hospital or another provider, e.g. a general practice). Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis according to strict criteria which include evidence of labour market testing. Advertising must be placed both State-wide and nationally and be designed to attract a maximum response.
(3)(a) 778 headcount as at 31 May 2015.
(b-c) [See tabled paper no]
(4) 270 headcount as at 31 May 2015.
(5) The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is the only health service in WA that works with recruitment agencies for the recruitment of overseas trained graduates to the public sector. [See tabled paper no] for a list of Medical Recruitment Agencies that have signed the WACHS Supply Agreement as at 16 June 2015. These agencies working to fill the advertised WACHS vacancies have signed an 'Agreement for Supply of Services: Recruitment of Medical Practitioners'. This allows the agency to invoice a total of 12.5% of stated Medical Practitioner income for the tenure of the appointment up to a total of 12 months, when they assist to fill a permanent or locum vacancy. It can be a one off payment if the doctor has accepted a fixed term contract, or across multiple payments for days worked up to a total of 365 days worked for locum doctors on a medical services agreement.
(6) Psychiatry,obstetrics and gynaecology, and orthopaedic surgery.
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